Texas Tech coaches make good on promise to 2013 signee Josh Outlaw

Redshirt freshman Josh Outlaw has been moved to tackle this spring, Texas Tech offensive line coach Lee Hays said, to fulfill a promise made during recruiting. Outlaw spent virtually all of last season practicing at guard, where he trained as an emergency option in case of injuries.

He traveled with the team and suited up in case a couple of the guards went down.

“Josh wants to try that outside tackle,” Hays said. “He feels like he’s a tackle, so we’re going to give him (a chance). When we recruited Josh, we told him he could play tackle, so ... .”

Outlaw has been working at right tackle behind Rashad Fortenberry. Another redshirt freshman, Poet Thomas, is getting some time behind All-Big 12 honoree Le’Raven Clark at left tackle to see if he might have a future there.

Hays has projected Thomas mainly as a right tackle.

“He works a little bit at both,” Hays said.

Another candidate in the mix this spring is Hayden Vinson, a 6-6, 305-pound sophomore walk-on from Cisco College. Vinson went to San Angelo Central High School.

“Him and Poet have kind of been battling a little bit on the left side,” Hays said. “From a man assignment standpoint, the kid has really picked it up. Just his steps and stuff, he needs more work on that, and that’s kind of where we’re at with all the freshmen.”